They still commit bone-headed penalties, still have trouble running the ball on third-and-1 and still have a hard time stopping anybody on third down. Basically, the Washington Redskins still do things that defensive end Phillip Daniels admits “make me scratch my head.”
The thing about yesterday’s 17-13 win over the Carolina Panthers was that the Redskins did fewer bad things than normal. Two key interceptions and two touchdown passes by Jason Campbell were just enough for the Redskins against a 6-4 Carolina team that was playing to remain tied for the NFC South lead.
Despite a win over a team that finished one game short of the Super Bowl last year, the Monday Morning Quarterback remains pessimistic. All yesterday proved is that they have pride and some character and can translate that into hard play.
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Q: The Redskins took the cue set by the Capitals last week and showed some fight. It didn’t do the Caps a lot of good — they’re winless in their last six and appear to be finished. Why did the Redskins show up with so much want-to?
A: Because they have pride. If a lot of these players were on “Deal or No Deal” with the still-annoying Howie Mandel, they consistently would turn down the offers to try to win a bigger prize later in the show. Translation: They don’t quit.
The offense is playing hard because the guys want Jason Campbell to succeed — they know he’s not going anywhere else. The defense returned to its play-hard, tackle-well roots because, as corny as it sounds, they’re pros and it was the right thing to do.
Q: You think Joe Gibbs’ turn as Gen. George S. Patton — pounding the drums and sounding the bugles on Wednesday in his regular speech to the team — had anything to do with the increased passion?
A: Gibbs, naturally, said it didn’t. I say it did. Nothing motivates a group of football players like telling them they’re not playing physical enough. They got pushed around by a below-average Tampa Bay team last week, and Gibbs called them on it. The players responded — even though they knew everything he was saying — because a reality check/wake-up call is needed a few times a season.
Q: But let’s face it: The Panthers weren’t good yesterday. Weren’t they supposed to have a defense that generates sacks by the handful and wasn’t Steve Smith supposedly the league’s top receiver?
A: Carolina was terrible. The Panthers’ defense had 10 sacks and six takeaways in their previous two games; they had one sack (and little pressure) and one turnover against the Redskins. Julius Peppers was a nonfactor.
Smith had five catches for 34 yards, well below his usual average of eight catches and 100-plus yards. Shawn Springs made Smith a bystander except for a touchdown catch. But the biggest problem was quarterback Jake Delhomme, who was 23-for-38 for just 168 yards and two picks.
Q: How about our quarterback? Jason Campbell isn’t a one-game wonder even though his numbers weren’t great (118 passing yards). Is it now clear the kid belongs on the field?
A: That was clear at Tampa Bay last week. Against the Panthers, Campbell made the game’s biggest play: a 66-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cooley that won the game. He completed only 11 of his 23 attempts, but showed athletic flashes on a 10-yard scramble and other plays on which he bought more time by sliding out of the pocket. As he makes more progress, he will be allowed to do more things and will be a good fit for Al Saunders’ scheme when he gets more experienced.
Q: Gregg Williams had a tough week with questions about his embattled defense and then an unnamed source popping off to ESPN.com. How much credit should he get for shutting down the Panthers?
A: He should get the credit when the Redskins play well like they did in the win, just like he should get the blame when they struggle. All season, the Redskins’ defense has stunk worse than K-Fed. Couldn’t stop the run. Couldn’t stop the pass. Couldn’t get a turnover. But instead of laying down with a 3-7 record, they responded by playing hard. The key was Williams relenting on his philosophy of the cornerbacks playing one side of the field and letting Springs shadow Smith the entire game.
Q: So you wouldn’t do what a Brazilian soccer fan did — buy a $25,000 newspaper ad offering advice to her team’s coach?
A: My advice costs only a quarter (or is free on the Internet). Williams should still find a way to salvage Adam Archuleta’s season and should begin playing rookie linebacker Rocky McIntosh. A great coach is one who can adjust his scheme to the personnel. Williams and his staff have to start doing that better.
Q: The Redskins are 4-7 and have home games coming up against Atlanta and Philadelphia. Although the playoffs are out of the question, we should be hopeful about a decent record, right?
A: The schedule sets up well for the Redskins. Atlanta, which lost at home to New Orleans yesterday, is 5-6 and in a complete free fall. The Eagles are without Donovan McNabb, and that makes them less formidable. If the Redskins can stay relatively healthy and continue to play hard, there’s no reason why they can’t be 6-7 heading into the final three games.
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